Alan Shearer issues worrying Chelsea Champions League verdict after Fulham win

Chelsea's strength of schedule in the race for Champions League football is beyond those of their rivals, according to Alan Shearer.

The Blues earned a vital win at Fulham this past weekend courtesy of Pedro Neto's 93rd minute winner that saw them move within two points of Newcastle in fifth.

They also sit three points behind Nottingham Forest in fourth thanks to their 2-1 win away win at Tottenham Hotspur.

With the chase for Champions League football likely to go on until the final day of the season, Chelsea will need to start claiming three points - something they've only done twice in their last five games.

However, that's easier said than done considering the level of difficulty they face in their final five fixtures of the season with Shearer claiming the Premier League side possess the "toughest" run-in of all the European hopefuls.

With clashes against Everton, Liverpool, Newcastle United, Manchester United, Nottingham Forest on the horizon for Chelsea, the Rest is Football podcast co-host said : "I think looking at the fixtures, perhaps Chelsea have got the toughest [schedule] because they've got to play Newcastle, they've got to play Forest on the last day of the season."

Opting to look on the positive side of the daunting fixture list, Gary Lineker responded: "But that's also could be advantageous because you actually going against the teams that you're up against."

While Maresca has come in for criticism for Chelsea's lack of consistency this season, the Italian boss insisted that it's been a good season for the club but can become "very good" should they clinch Champions League football.

"Personally, the goal from Pedro (Neto) doesn't change my view of the season," he said after the 2-1 win over Fulham.

"I said three or four days ago, and I will repeat, Chelsea in the last two years have never been in the Champions League spots and this season we spent all season there.

"So today's win doesn't change my view. It's already a good season and can become very good if we finish in the Champions League spots, no doubt.

"But for sure, today was an important win because first of all it's a derby, second, it gives us the chance to be there. And probably it was the most difficult win, and the reason why is because they (league rivals) all played yesterday."

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